Letters to the editor

We must protect the Permanent Fund dividend for generations to come. Alaskans’ PFDs should be paid in full using the law that has worked for decades, and the PFD should be protected in the Constitution, now and for the future.There should be no change to the PFD without a vote of the people

Danyell Blom, Soldotna

No collusion, obstruction?

We have a President who, on live television, asked Russia if they could find Hillary Clinton’s emails. Immediately they began working on illegally obtaining those emails. They got them, gave them to Wikileaks and they were released after notifying the Trump campaign that they were forthcoming.

No collusion? No conspiracy?

It was right in front of the our eyes and ears. I guess that’s the new normal. You can break laws if you do them right in front of everyone.

Trump then fired James Comey, the head of the FBI because he was investigating Trump and the role he might have played in the propaganda and disinformation campaign enacted on an unknowing American public by Russia.

This pattern goes on and on and on: Bullying those who are issued a subpoena to testify, floating out pardons for those that might stick to the story.

No obstruction of justice?

Well of course there was criminal conduct and an effort to undermine the investigation into that criminal conduct and quite frankly anyone who doesn’t see that is an imbecile or a traitor.

In a government by the people, we deserve the entirety of the Mueller report. The confirmation of Barr as Attorney General was just the final move of obstructing justice and his summation of the report is useless, biased and utterly pointless. We demand the full release.

If there isn’t evidence enough to impeach Trump, it is up to the citizens of the United States to determine that.

Chris Needham

Asaiah is spinning in his grave

Sadness and shame have come to Homer. I have always felt we in Homer were “color blind.” Your color or origin did not matter; your contribution to the community did.

To the Belmontes I extend my deepest sympathy and apologies for this act of ignorance and stupidity. You have been good neighbors to our East End community. You have opened your business not only to diners, but to the whole community as a venue for many of Homer’s organization to hold meetings, fundraisers and celebrations. If you were to leave, our community would be less one contributing family and business. You would be missed.

To the soul who has expressed himself with defacing and graffiti on another’s property:; the road down the hill to Homer also leads out of town. You are not needed here.

Brother Asaiah must be spinning in his grave over your actions.

R.M. Richards

An apology to Wasabi’s owners

Please accept my apology in regards to the person or persons who could not intelligently and compassionately accept the restaurant family into our multi-racial and multi-cultural friendly community. I apologize for the actions of these ill-behaved people.

In the high school today are about 900 banners painted by the children of Homer illustrating our community and depicting examples of friendship with any boundary of race, religion, color, talent, cultural background, sport or music or art choice, foods. Nothing is a barrier to friendship, and where there is friendship, there is true, deep peace.

Thank you boys and girls of Homer for reminding us of this. Thank you to patrons of Wasabi. Thank you to Homerites whose lives are for others — and freely give services, smiles, gifts, care.

Peace is Godly. Outreach to help others is Godly. Action to others as you would have others be to you is Godly. Thank you to the majority of Homerites who live daily in peace and friendship.

Pat Wise, Alaskan 46 years, Homerite 26 years

Trump should not be surprised by internationalism movement

Why is Donald Trump so completely unaware that America’s grass roots, internationalism has been on the move since long before the Mexican border wall was even a gleam in his jaundiced eye? This internationalism is championed by seasoned Americans who know first hand the costs of closed borders and walls rising around the world.

John A. Anderson, Kenai

Cops and Courts log is illiterate

My husband and I just finished reading the Town Crier page in the March 14, 2019, paper and were totally appalled. This column appears to have been written by an illiterate with very little education. The articles in this section were incomplete and of no real interest.

For instance: “A woman went to the police station to report a civil matter and she was advised.” On what matter did she go asking for advice? “Officer assisted medics on Sterling Hwy.” What for? What happened for them to assist? A caller reported “a man slumped over the wheel of a vehicle.” What was the outcome? We could not help but wonder just why this uninteresting garbage was even considered newsworthy.

Has the person that writes this column gone to school? Does this person even know what is considered newsworthy? And why was this uninformative garbage even put in the paper?

It certainly makes me wonder just why we sent in our renewal for another year of this stuff that is not worth our time to even try to make sense from. The Pet of the Week is more interesting than the Town Crier.

I sincerely hope things start to improve and soon.

Sincerely,

Larry and Pat Pratt

Mayor not happy with coverage

I take a bit of exception to your front page, above the fold, story of my actions regarding supplying metered water to the low-income housing project.

At the Homer City Council meeting that took place on March 26, and following the conclusion of Council debate, I reiterated my reasons for sponsoring the ordinance and why I thought it was good for the City of Homer and the area in general.

I concluded those remarks with this statement:

“As sponsor of this ordinance, my ‘Yes’ vote is sitting on the table, to be exercised if needed.”

The vote was taken, and my vote was exercised.

The reality of the event is a little different than the scenario you reported.

Mayor Ken Castner

Women of Distinction was a success

The South Peninsula Haven House Board would like to thank the community for another successful Women of Distinction celebration at Alice’s Champagne Palace. We thank the four women honored who have embraced our community and share their passion, knowledge and commitment for the betterment of all.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to the artists, businesses and individuals whose generous donations have furthered Haven House’s commitment to a safer community. And to our individual supporters that come to our event every year with a giving spirit that helps Haven House continue their work throughout the year, we thank you. It takes a community to make a difference, and together we are making a difference.

Sherry Stead and Haven House Board of Directors

Ashamed at U.S. support for IDF

I cringe to realize that the eyes of Palestinian children are being shot out by Israeli sharpshooters. Does that make me anti- Semitic?

A multitude of Gaza residents, upon their own soil, are wounded rather than killed, on a weekly basis. Deaths bring attention to the weekly shootings, while the wounding and maiming are less newsworthy, yet take a greater toll of suffering.

I feel ashamed that Washington, D.C., borrows $10 million a day, with interest, to help finance the Israeli Defense Force.

Tod Tenhoff

Think you are a conservative?

Maybe you vote, maybe not. Maybe you voted for President Trump, Governor Dunleavy and Mayor Pierce, but, what are you doing now?

Do you call Murkowski before she makes one of her liberal senate votes? Do you encourage your congressional delegation to back President Trump‘s efforts to drain the swamp? Do you contact state legislators and tell them to support Governor Dunleavy’s budget cutting? Do you testify in person or by email on issues before the borough assembly? If you do not, you are part of the reason liberals are winning the war.

Liberals are doing all they can to increase their power base, relieve taxpayers of their hard earned money and increase regressive regulations. In Alaska, liberals want to take away the Permanent Fund Dividend, and they just might get away with it.

Go to a borough assembly or school board meeting and 99 percent of those who testify want more of your money. Right now, budget talks and union contracts are being discussed. The liberals are out in force with teary eyed school kids and tales of woe.

Contact information for our congressional delegation, the legislature borough assembly and school board is readily available online or in the phone book.

If you want to make a real conservative difference … get involved … be effective and participate.

Mike McBride, North Kenai

Homer turns out for Blue Line event

Under perfect, sunny spring conditions, more than 100 adults, children and a few pets gathered at the Elks Lodge in Homer on Saturday, March 30 to run, walk and learn about Homer’s tsunami safe zone.

The focus of the first Tsunami Blue Line Fun Run-Walk was not on winning, but rather on learning where Homer’s tsunami safe zones begin and end. The course roughly followed the 50-foot safe zone contour through Homer, the maximum projected tsunami run-up from a severe — yet realistic — tsunami source.

The City of Homer extends a big thanks to everyone who came out for the event, and to all who helped with the Blue Line events.

Special thanks go out to Wayne Aderhold for his blue line inspiration and enthusiasm, Kachemak Bay Running Club for setting up the course, Homer Police Department and community traffic volunteers for keeping everyone safe throughout the course, Print Works and Homer Electric Association for signs and maps, and our local media for helping to get the word out. Generous donations of Grab & Go emergency backpacks by Ulmers, Nomar and Homer Saw and Cycle were raffled off at the conclusion of the event.

Kudos also to volunteers from Wells Fargo Bank, Friends of the Homer Public Library, City Council, Kenai Peninsula College, Cook Inlet Keeper, Red Cross, Salvation Army and other community members who cheered and encouraged participants from several blue line stations along the route, and then stayed on at the stations after the run to introduce citizens to Homer’s tsunami inundation maps.

Your contributions helped make the day a huge success. Congratulations to all.

Jenny Carroll, City of Homer special projects and communications coordinator

DeStig Movies and Conversations

Thank you to the all of the community members that continue to come out and participate in the DeStig Cinema Series.

Our most recent film, Half Nelson, presented in conjunction with the Opioid Task Force, was very well attended. The large group that stayed after to share thoughts and opinions on the film and the topic of substance abuse and misuse were very thoughtful and respectful to the multiple views presented. Addiction is a complex medical problem and a complex social problem. And there were as many different reactions to the film and the topic as there were people sitting in the theater.

What impressed me most was the willingness of this cross-section of Homer-area folk to listen to each other, consider different perspectives, and thoughtfully discuss an issue that can be very divisive. Not always an easy task. But one that will move our opportunities for community wellness forward. These conversations are important and we are lucky to have such forums. As well as multiple agencies and media outlets that support and celebrate the victory of recovery.

Near the end of the evening someone asked about services available in the community. What to do, where to go. The Southern Peninsula continues to grow in that respect. Ninilchick Tribe leading the way with recently hired peer partners available 24 hours a day. SVT recently hiring a substance abuse counselor. CICADA expanding services. Our agency, SPBHS, providing groups and support. AA Groups, NA groups, Parent to Parent support group, Fit2Recover, the Needle Exchange, the Hospital, Set Free services on the horizon, Narcan availability, expanded access to MAT, and more. A community pulling together trying to fill the gaps.

Thanks again, and we hope to see everyone on April 25th for Wonder, our final free movie of this year’s series.